AUSSIE flu has caused havoc across the UK this winter, with more than 15,000 deaths from influenza recorded in the second week of January alone. But despite a surge in cases of the flu this year, NHS leaders from across the country are urging Britons it’s not too late to get the vaccine.

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If you’re eligible, please make sure that you get the free flu jab from the NHS. You can be sure that it won’t make you ill, and it might save your life

Dr Helen Hibbs, Clinical Accountable Officer at NHS Wolverhampton Clinical Commissioning Group, said the flu vaccine is effective against the Australian flu and it is still not too late for people to get protected by having the flu vaccine.

Studies have proven the vaccine will help prevent flu in patients and reduce the length and strength of flu if caught.

Flu viruses change every year so people need to update their vaccination each year to match the new virus.

Dr Hibbs said: "Flu is a serious, sometimes even life-threatening illness, which people can catch easily when it is circulating. Some people are more at risk from flu and need the vaccine because they are not able to fight off flu as easily as others. For these people, flu can often result in more serious complications which require hospital treatment. It can even be fatal in some cases. So, if you’re eligible, please make sure that you get the free flu jab from the NHS. You can be sure that it won’t make you ill, and it might save your life.

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Aussie flu symptoms: NHS leaders across the country are urging people to get the flu jab

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"As GPs have been vaccinating patients since September we would expect at this time that some surgery stocks may be running low, so if your GP can’t help please contact your local Pharmacy.

"People suffering with flu-like symptoms should catch coughs or sneezes in tissues and bin them immediately, wash their hands regularly with soap and warm water and frequently clean regularly used surfaces to stop the spread of flu."